Matthew 18:15-20

The Practical Application of This Love And Humility In Dealings With The New Congregation of God's People (18:15-20).

Having expressed the concern that His true disciples must have to walk as humbly as a little child; to prevent others from stumbling; to themselves deal severely with sin in their own lives; and their need to share His Father's concern over those who go astray; Jesus now make a practical application which not only brings this out but emphasises the responsibility in the matter of the whole of the new ‘congregation', the new community of the people of God. There is to be a unity and oneness among them which will not only benefit all, but will also make them effective as a unit together. Note especially the repeated emphasis on two or three working together. The chiasmus suggests that the whole of this passage must be seen as dealing with the question of someone who has stumbled and needs restoring in all humility and graciousness, although that need not discount a wider application. Note that the emphasis is on restoration. Judgment may finally be necessary, but that is not the primary aim. The thought is that His congregation should be a ‘self-maintained' unit with Him at its heart.

There is an interesting parallel to these instructions in the regulations of the Qumran community, ‘let him rebuke him on the very same day lest he incur guilt because of him. And furthermore, let no man accuse his companion before the congregation without first having admonished him in the presence of witnesses'.

Analysis.

a “And if your brother sins against you, go, show him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother” (Matthew 18:15).

b “But if he does not listen to you, take with you one or two more, that at the mouth of two witnesses or three every word may be established” (Matthew 18:16).

c “And if he refuse to listen to them, tell it to the congregation (ekklesia - church)” (Matthew 18:17 a).

d “And if he refuses to listen to the congregation also, let him be to you as the Gentile and the public servant” (Matthew 18:17).

c “Truly I say to you, whatever things you shall bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever things you shall loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven” (Matthew 18:18).

b “Again I say to you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 18:19).

a “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20).

Note that in ‘a' two come together to resolve a spiritual problem, and in the parallel two or three gathered in His Name can be sure that Jesus is among them. In ‘b' one or two more are called on, and in the parallel, agreement between two ensures God's cooperation. In ‘c' the whole congregation is brought in, and in the parallel what they bind on earth shall have been bound in Heaven, and what they loose on earth shall have been loosed in Heaven. Centrally in ‘d' the one who rejects the ministration of the whole congregation is to be dealt with as an unbeliever in need of mercy.